Action Alert: Tell Congress to Stop the 9% Cut!

As we alerted you previously, CMS is proposing to cut physical, occupational and speech therapy payment by 9% in 2021 to offset increases in physicians’ payments for E&M codes. Many other ancillary and specialty services are also affected. There is no indication that the thousands of comments CMS received opposing this cut will change their position when they publish the 2021 final rule next month. Therefore, legislative action is required!

Representatives Bera (D-CA) and Buchon (R-IN) have introduced the Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act (H.R. 8702). Enactment of this legislation would negate these payment cuts by providing an additional payment to those specialties who are slated for cuts in 2021. The bill states that the “hold harmless” payment will be made for 2 years (2021 and 2022); the payment amount will be the difference between the payment rate in 2020 and the reduced rate finalized by CMS for 2021. This process will allow the increase in E&M codes to go into effect on 1/1/21 without resulting in reduced payment to the over 35 provider specialties tapped to offset the increase.

Take action now by going to the PTPN Political Action Center to tell your legislators to support this bill in the House and introduce one in the Senate.

Together we can make a difference.

Click the following link to log in and send your message: https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/nLvOtZ_JFrgSDs3HE-xxtw.